Ask the Readers: Do You Use Business Cards? (Special $100 Giveaway)

Editor's Note: Congratulations to our first prize winner, Aaron L, and our second and third place winners, Guest and Emily.

Business cards are one of the most important networking tools. Professionals, job seekers, freelancers, and even students have used business cards to advance their careers. Whether you hand them out to clients or prospective employers, a tasteful business card provides people with a great first impression.

Do you use business cards? If yes, how do you use them? If no, why not?

Tell us if you use business cards and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or two sets of die-cut business cards courtesy of our sponsor UPrinting.com.

Prizes: $100 Amazon Gift Card & Two Sets of Die-Cut Business Cards

This week we will be giving away thee prizes:

First Place:$100 Amazon gift card

Second and Third Place: Each will get a set of 250 die-cut business cards courtesy of UPrinting.com. Winners of the business cards can choose among UPrinting.com's available die-cut shape and sizes and cardstock option. Standard turnaround time and shipping applies (no shipping charges). Restricted to people 18 years and above, US residents only. Check out these beautiful samples.

How to Enter:

You can enter 3 different ways:

Comment Entry. Answer this question in the comments below: "Have you used business cards? If yes, how do you use them? If no, why not?"

If you do all 3 things you get 3 entries into the contest. Maximum 3 entries per person. Be sure to always include your email when leaving a comment.

Giveaway Details:

Contest ends Monday, January 16th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after January 16th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.

You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking UPrinting.com's Facebook update, and once by tweeting.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.

You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

About UPrinting.com

Here's a message from our contest sponsor.

Free Proofs Before You Pay!

Did you know that unlike other online printing companies, you can get your files proofed and checked for errors without paying a cent at UPrinting.com? No order commitment or credit card is required! Proceed with your order when you are confident with your online proof. We're confident in the quality of our printing services online, and don't need to pressure you to pay before you're ready!

24 Hour Customer Support

Have a question or need some help with printing online? We're here for you 24 hours a day Monday-Friday and from 8am-5pm PST on Saturday and Sunday! Call 1-888-888-4211 or chat online with one of our helpful customer service representatives for any inquiries or assistance with your custome online printing.

Here's a sample of the kind of beautiful cards created using UPrinting.com:

Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.

Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Selene M. #1

We don't use business cards currently, but need to get some for our RV lifestyle. It's a great way for people to remember you and to have your email and phone numbers handy for future contact.

Yes, I use business cards. I understand that people may question the logic behind holding onto something paper when you can just as easily plug it into whatever electronic device you have, but there is something to be said about business cards. I will start also by saying that I too have electronic devices, i.e. iPhone, which allows me to basally put anything into it. And I do put everything I think I might need into it. However, business cards to me are a safety net. When I go out and see someone's business card it catches my eye. Who are they? What do they sell or offer? I take them and stash them right next to all of my others, and keep it in my car. That way, if my phone, iPad, navigation, whatever, dies, I have a back up. At least I have somewhere to start rather than being SOL. Furthermore, extending a business card to someone is, in my opinion, more personal than saying "hey, put my info in you're phone". You often get the phone number plus address, web site, business hours, specials, etc. That amount of information takes time to input and so when I take one, I can always go back and deal with it later.

Finally, I remember places more often when I have taken their card. Sometimes I take it and leave, than place it in with my other cards. Now and again I go through them and say "hey, I wanted to try that out" or "I totally forgot about that". It serves as a reminder. Of course, I do not take one unless there is a chance I will need it. For instance, I do not take a card from every restaurant, doctors office, or retailer I've been to. I simply prefer to have an actual copy of some information. Maybe I'm old school but I doubt it. I believe there is a point to taking business cards even if your not sure. You never know, you might go through them and remember how great an experience was and you were just too busy to type it into your phone. I know it happens to me and so I will continue to take them when I feel I could benefit from it.

Awesome answer! Such great points! That's very true, having a business card is always good backup.

gina lovejoy #10

I own a childcare in a small town and whenever I am out and about I pass my card to parents and store personal. I always make a point in introducing myself and letting them know that I can help with childcare. I designed my card and it’s green with black type, soothing but very catchy.

Yes! I do you business cards often. I make handmade beads and then use them to make one-of-a-kind jewelry, so my work is quite distinct. I have 2 different business cards, each with its own style and picture; one bright and one pastel. If someone asks me about what jewelry I'm wearing, I can give them a card, and sometimes when that happens, nearby people will start asking for them! Always good to have a nice card carrying case as well.

I have not used business cards yet but I will be soon. Beyond my blog I am launching an SEO company in the next few weeks. I want to target people who are unfamiliar with SEO or are not aware of the power of online presence. I have years of experience and do everything myself by hand with full reports of everything I have done for my clients.

I think business cards will be useful and a powerful statement for any potential clients that I meet in person. How many other people use stylish business cards? I do not think as many as used to. It shows a bit of professionalism in ones self. Anyone can put up a website but an individual who hands out business cards appropriately in person shows far more confidence in what they do.

I work mainly with clients and vendors in places other than the city in which my office exists, so I don't have that many opportunities to hand out business cards. I do have a short stack of them (which, now that we've moved, don't even have the right address on them), but truth be told aside from the occasional client visit, I mostly use them for writing down short notes. Give a user the wireless key or an autogenerated password, sort of thing.
In my personal life, I have some cards in my bag that are the size of business cards, but they're really more like calling cards. They have my name on the front, and I carry a pen to write whatever I need to on the back (phone number, email, twitter, etc).

I am quite sure that I don't use my own business cards as effectively as I could, but I think I have a pretty good strategy for cards I receive. Firstly, they are a good way to remember who to follow up with and what either we spoke about or what I promised to send them. I am also way better at remembering businesses than last names, so I file my paper cards by first name. And, yes, I do keep paper cards as backup to my electronics contact lists.

I'm the same way. I'm sure I could use my business cards more effectively as well!

Jenn #21

I use business cards from time to time, not very much at all for my full time job though. I have a smaller version that I use to share my etsy store and another that contains contact information and website. It is a really great way to pass your information along.

I've always carried business cards. I think they're more personal than just adding someone's contact info to your phone, and if done correctly, they can create a great initial impression.

I always go for something simple, minimal, easy to read, and on 100lb paper. Don't go cheap. If you cannot afford engraved printing, at least do raised printing. White or off-white paper, or laid if you're really a design nerd.

We use business cards for my husband's small business. On the front is his logo and traditional contact information. However, on the back are a few color pictures of some of his work. As a theatrical scenery builder his work has great visual impact and it is a good way to start conversations or explain "what" it is that he does.

Yes, I do use business cards; I carry them in my purse. I have handed them out at networking events, but usually it's when I'm having a casual conversation and the topic of my new career comes up. Sometimes people ask, sometimes I offer them a card. It's pretty easy!

Yes, I have (and use!) my business cards. I took advantage of a free-100-simple-business cards offered by a well-known computer/office store. I love them, and keep a few of them on-hand, in case there's a let-me-tell-you-about-what-I-do opportunity. I also include them with my thank you notes that I send with my Etsy orders.

Yes, I use business cards! We travel to conferences where we meet prospective clients for our businesses and I give out my cards to provide contact information. It is a minor disaster to get to a conference & discover that you've not packed enough business cards! I also collect business cards from others for our prospective client database.

They are also handy to have when you meet people socially and you'd like to stay in contact. You can provide your contact info without writing everything down.

Yes I do use business cards! Not only do I have a card for the company I work for, I also have a personal card that I use for networking and my volunteer activities! It is a great way to leave behind a small "memory marker" for all of the people you talk to each day.

We have a family business card. We are military and move around so we have found that once we move and get situated having a business card we can send to our loved ones with our new information. Also if we meet some people and become friends we also provide our cards for that. It's pretty handy!

I have business cards, but I don't really use them. I've handed out a few at networking meetings, and they're nice to have on hand for drawings that say to toss your business card in the bowl... but I don't fly through them like a lot of other people do.

Yes, I do use cards. I am a street photographer and freelance reporter. When I make a photograph or video I give me card to the person I am photographing this serves two purposes one it lets them know I am legit, two they can order a print from me.

No, but I probably should. I'm trying to get a tutoring business off the ground, and I do several other things (writing and such) that would benefit from having a card to pass around. And there's always the free lunch factor...

I bought a thousand business cards more than 3 years ago and I've probably gone through a third of them... while my work relies on word of mouth most of the contact has been digital so it's very easy to find my business and people to stay in touch... I think as long as they remember your name (or you originally corresponded via email or social media), businesses in my field (entertainment/media) are very smart when it comes to finding someone's presence online which, I might add, is ABSOLUTELY a must.

Yes, we use business cards for my husbands part time business and I use them as personal cards that I give to people with my name, address, email,etc. listed on them.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Having lost everything, I do not use business cards presently. But I cannot wait to design and use business cards again once I am back on my feet. They symbolize stability and security and the reassumption of my status as a tax-paying citizen.

Yes. I have been writing a blog for a year now. Whenever I correspond with companies, other bloggers, and readers by mail, I stick one in the envelope. I also carry a few around to give to people I may meet who are interested in what I blog about. I don't use them often, but it's much more professional-looking and my infor is less-likely to get tossed into the trashcan this way.

Constantly.. I use business cards ALL the time.. I'm an actor and carrying a headshot and resume' isnt a very convenient way to go. Contact number, website, and in the center.. my name..very large... in a red paint spatter look. On the back of the card.. QR code that takes you to my favorite most recent work...http://thedavidbeach.com/David_M_Beach/intel.html

but.. cant say it works all that well ;-) People still dont recognize me on the street yet.

I don't currently use business cards, though in the past I have relied entirely on them. At this point I just haven't really used them in over a year and a half. I need to start because everyone is always asking for contact information.

Yes I use business cards. I built up my childcare business that way. When I was with kids at the park, I would talk to the parents and most of the time they asked me if I was taking more families. I always had a business card to give to them.

As a freelance artist, I use them a lot because it's nice to have a little piece of art you can hand a person. I also sometimes add a pin featuring my art to the card to give it extra interest. In the end, all roads lead to my web site!

I use business cards. Mine are deliberately very minimalist with plenty of space for drawing, writing notes, etc -- I'll often use my cards to write down notes for other folks (directions, book recommendations, websites, names of people they should look up) so that they are (1) functional, (2) have my contact information, and (3) remind them that I was the nice person who helped them out with X.

It sounds a lot more thought through than it actually is, honest -- I'm making a lot of this up as I go along. But they have been handy things to have.